Michael Appelgate: Dux discipline paves way for title

In the biggest game of the year for either team, what fans, coaches and players donít want to see are yellow cloths flying throughout the game.

The penalty flag didnít fly often during Saturdayís Zeeland West and DeWitt Division 3 state title game. Five penalties were called in the Dux 34-27 win, and all were called against the Panthers.

Thatís not the first time this season Zeeland West hasnít been penalized at all in a game. In the semifinal game against Stevensville Lakeshore, no penalties were called against the Dux. In the entire season, Zeeland West was penalized 23 times (1.6 per game) compared to 50 from opponents.

It was a final penalty on DeWitt that sealed the third state title for the Dux. On a fourth-and-7, Grand Postma was hit after he punted the ball away with 42 seconds remaining in the game. A roughing the kicker penalty was called on DeWitt for a first down, and Zeeland West took a knee to end the game.

Earlier in the fourth quarter with the Dux ahead 34-20, two penalties were called on the Panthers defense.

As Zeeland West tried to keep the clocking ticking to end the game, DeWitt tried to get into the backfield as quick as possible to stop the Dux running game.

On Zeeland West third play of its drive, the Panthers were called offside on a first down, and then later on a fourth-and-4, Dux quarterback Casey Brinks used a hard count to draw DeWitt offside again.

The drive eventually ended up with Zeeland West turning the ball over on downs, but that took 12 plays and 7 minutes off the clock.

The discipline of the Dux isnít surprising as the team has a lot of playoff experience and Brinks, a sophomore, is the only underclassman behind a veteran offensive line.

It also helps to have a coach with more than 30 years of experience coaching in Michigan and has now led teams to six state finals. John Shillito is 3-3 in championship games with all three of his wins coming with Zeeland West.

When it counted most, the Dux weren't rattled by the magnitude of the moment. All they did was play clean football, and ran their Wing-T offense to gain 441 yards on the ground.

Zeeland West never got too emotional. Even when time expired, a few hugs were exchanged and arms went up.

That's the epitome of what the Dux were this year: Business-like, efficient champions.